Astra Iheukumere
Dane County Department of
Human Services
Every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment in which to grow up. Through Dane County’s Early Childhood Zones, we collaborate with community partners to support expecting parents and those with children under the age of four so they have opportunities to thrive.
Home house visits are at the core of Early Childhood Zones and are provided by trained professionals. Services are delivered in the parent’s home and include support for and education about having a healthy pregnancy, promoting positive parent-child relationships, understanding how children develop, and connecting to other useful community resources.
In addition to home visits, Early Childhood Zone participants are offered enhancement services like employment support, housing stability, and in-home mental health support. Employment support staff assist parents in reaching their education and employment goals, like applying for jobs, preparing for job interviews, securing a driver’s license, signing up for support and economic assistance, obtaining a GED/HSED, and signing up for classes or trainings.
Early Childhood Zones also support families in their efforts to find and maintain stable housing. The family’s housing specialist can help navigate housing searches, applications for low-income or public housing, renter rights and responsibilities, and building successful relationships with landlords and management companies.
Mental health support is available to address emotional and mental health concerns. Culturally proficient mental health staff work closely with the home visiting team to provide care that focuses on restorative healing and hope for young children and their families.
Interested in learning more? Visit ecz
dane.org, and check out our video at bit.ly/eczvideo to hear first-hand testimony about the positive impact this program is having on the Dane County community.
